Our promise and who is responsible

Every child who comes to Showtime Maidstone LLP has the right to learn, perform and have fun safely. That is true for a child on a first trial session and for a child in a show. This policy applies to all our classes, rehearsals, shows and trips, whether they take place in person or online.

We promise to:

• give children a safe and kind place to learn
• listen to children and take every worry seriously
• act quickly when someone is worried about a child
• use staff and volunteers who are checked, trained and clear about what is expected of them

We are part of the Showtime network of schools, but we run our own classes and are responsible for our own safeguarding. Showtime Ltd provides the website and booking system only.

Who to talk to

Our Designated Safeguarding Lead leads on keeping children safe. They are trained for the role and are the person any worry should go to.

How we keep children safe

• Checking and training our team. Everyone who teaches, supervises or helps at our sessions has an enhanced DBS check, before they work with children. We also check identity and right to work and take up references. Our team completes safeguarding training when they join and refreshes it at least every two years, and everyone signs a code of conduct.
• No private time alone with a child. Staff do not spend time alone with a child out of sight of other adults. Sessions take place in open view or with doors open. If a child needs one-to-one coaching, it happens in view of others and with the parent's knowledge.
• Enough adults. We keep enough adults for the age and number of children in each session (for example, one adult for every 17 children). A trained first aider is present at every session.
• Changing and toilets. Children should use the toilet and change independently wherever possible. Staff will respect each child’s privacy and dignity and will not routinely assist children with changing or toileting. Staff do not help a child to change unless the child needs help and a parent has agreed.
• Photos and video. Staff take images only for teaching or for uses you have agreed. We do not use photos or video of trial children for publicity. If your child enrols, we ask you separately before we use any. Please do not photograph or film other people's children.
• Online and messaging. Staff do not message children privately or connect with them on social media. We contact parents about their child.
• Handing children over. We hand a child over only to the person named on the booking or enrolment form. We will not let a child leave with anyone else unless you have told us in writing. If nobody comes to collect a child, at least two adults stay with them, and we call you and your emergency contact. We never leave a child alone.
• Shows and performances. Where a show needs a licence or approval from the local authority for children to perform, we apply for it, and we use approved chaperones.
• Health and emergencies. We ask about health conditions, allergies and additional needs on the booking form so that we can look after your child. We make reasonable adjustments for children with additional needs. Our terms explain what happens in an emergency.
• Venues. We carry out risk assessments for our venues and activities and follow each venue's fire and evacuation arrangements.
• Behaviour between children. We do not accept bullying, including online, or unkind, unsafe or abusive behaviour between children. We deal with it promptly and talk to parents.
  
  

What we ask of parents, and what children can expect

What we ask of you

• Tell us about anything that affects your child's safety or wellbeing, including health needs, additional needs, and any court order or arrangement about who may collect or have contact with your child.
• Keep your contact details and emergency contact up to date, and make sure we can reach you during the session.
• Collect your child on time. If someone else will collect them, tell us in advance in writing. We may ask to see identification.
• Do not photograph or film other people's children.
• Treat children and staff with respect, as set out in our parent code of conduct.
• Tell us if your child is worried or upset about anything at our sessions, and raise any worry you have about any child.

What children can expect

• To be listened to and taken seriously.
• To be told who they can talk to if they are worried. They can speak to any member of staff or to our Designated Safeguarding Lead.
• To be treated with respect, and never shouted at, embarrassed or hurt.
• To be allowed to say no to anything that makes them feel uncomfortable, and to tell someone they trust.
  
  

If you are worried

What to do

If you are worried about your child, or about any child at our sessions, speak to our Designated Safeguarding Lead straight away, in person, by phone or by email. If your worry is about the Designated Safeguarding Lead, speak to the deputy. If a child is in immediate danger, call 999.

What we do when we hear a concern

• We listen, and write down what was said, in the person's own words, on the same day.
• We tell the Designated Safeguarding Lead at once.
• The Designated Safeguarding Lead decides what happens next. That may be talking to you, asking Kent County Council’s LADO Education Safeguarding Advisory Service children's services for advice, or making a referral to children's social care or the police.
• We usually tell parents first, unless doing so might put a child at greater risk.
• We do not investigate abuse ourselves. We pass concerns to the people whose job it is.

Confidentiality

We cannot promise to keep a worry secret if a child may be at risk of harm. We share information only with those who need it to keep the child safe, such as children's social care or the police. Data protection law does not stop us sharing information to protect a child.

If your worry is about a member of our team

Tell our Designated Safeguarding Lead, or the deputy if the worry is about the Designated Safeguarding Lead. We take every allegation seriously. We will tell the Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO) when a concern suggests that an adult may have harmed a child or may not be suitable to work with children, and we will follow their advice. The person may be asked to step away from children while the matter is looked into. You can also contact the LADO yourself.

Who to contact

Records, review and version

We keep a record of every safeguarding concern and what we did about it. The records are stored securely, kept apart from class records, and seen only by the people who need to see them. Our Privacy Notice explains how we use personal information.

We review this policy at least once a year, and after any serious incident or change in the law or guidance. If we make an important change, we will tell parents.

Safeguarding policy, version 1.0, 05.11.2026. Next review due November 2027. We keep every earlier version.